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First winners of UK Games Fund revealed

The first group of winners for the UK Games Fund have been announced, with a total of 24 development studios across the country getting a cash injection in their businesses.

The fund, announced in October 2015, awards grants to further development of proven prototypes, as well as nurturing new talent in the gaming sector. It's aimed specifically at small companies, the intent being to provide the financing to make their games a reality and get them into players' hands.

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The companies benefitting from the first round of funding include Velocity 2X studio Futurlab; OlliOlli and Not A Hero's Roll 7; Tango Fiesta's Spilt Milk Studios; and White Paper Games, the developers of Ether One. The full list can be read here.

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Many of the studios got their start making low-budget indie games or found success through mobile gaming. Whether the funding will see more venture into the PC gaming or console spaces, or progress to more ambitious titles in the smartphone world will be interesting to see.

"The UK is home to some of the world’s most successful video games and this cash boost will help these games companies grow their business and create the blockbusters of tomorrow," said Ed Vaizey, Minister for Culture and the Digital Economy, via statement. "I hope this Fund will give them the boost and extra support they need and urge other games companies and developers to apply for funding." "The level of creative activity in the UK's games development sector is running at record levels," added Paul Durrant, Managing Director of UK Games Talent and Finance, which supplies the fund. "The 100 plus applications we received to the first round of the UK Games Fund has surpassed any of the rounds in our previous fund. Our new portfolio of supported companies represent the first members of our talent-led movement to build on the UK’s creative strengths in video games development."

The developers recognised this time aren't the only ones who'll benefit. The UK Games Fund is set to run until 2019, and applications for the second round of funding -- offering grants of up to £25k -- is open now through to midday on 18 April.